Category: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Congratulations to Holly Jones, professor in NIU’s Department of Biological Sciences, on winning the 2024 Exemplary Faculty Mentoring Award. “Holly’s mentorship has played a huge role in my success in achieving tenure, conducting research, obtaining funding, engaging with my department, and meaningfully mentoring my own students,” said Jennifer Koop, associate professor in Biological Sciences, who...
To say Professor Holly Jones’ research is interdisciplinary and collaborative is a bit of an understatement. A National Geographic Explorer, Jones travels near and far to conduct her research, in places ranging from the Illinois prairie to the New Zealand archipelago. To tackle research questions that matter to on-the-ground environmental restoration and conservation experts, she...
Imagine a tall wave in the ocean. If you had sensors providing partial data on observations like past wave heights, wind speeds, ocean currents and other measurements, could you reconstruct the full dynamics (both in the past and future) of the wave-producing system? It might seem impossible to understand just how that big wave came...
“Mark is without a doubt one of the best teachers NIU has to offer; his skill extends well beyond the classroom to mentoring and engaging students at all levels.” “Mark’s commitment to students never falters, regardless of whether he is engaged in face-to-face, virtual or laboratory instruction.” “Mark has made a significant impact on NIU...
“Over the 13 years I have known him, Professor Sagarin has been an incredible advisor and mentor, not only academically, but vocationally. As my professor and advisor, he stoked my curiosity, supported my development as a scholar and teacher and gave me the space to learn and grow. It is not hyperbole for me to...
History is still being written—and discovered. And perhaps among its most successful explorers is NIU History Professor Aaron Fogleman. His work on revolution, slavery, gender, religion and forced and free transatlantic migrations has helped develop the fields of early America and the Atlantic World—an area of study focusing on interactions among the people of Europe,...
NIU Chemistry Professor Tao Xu, a specialist in nanotechnology, has spent his entire career aiming to help ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for our planet. Xu is a recognized leader in three clean-energy research areas that are considered by some among the great challenges of this century: solar energy conversion and utilization, electrical...
Despite being ranked the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row, there is still homelessness and crime in Finland. However, unlike the United States, Finland has made remarkable progress in reducing homelessness over the last two decades. NIU Sociology Professor Fred Markowitz As a 2023-2024 American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellow, NIU Sociology...
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences honored 10 alumni, faculty and staff Oct. 28 during their annual event at Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. The CLAS Distinguished Awards program honors individuals who have achieved prominence in their professional fields or who have made major contributions to the college, its mission and its reputation for excellence. The 2022 honorees...
As an inspiring professor, prolific author, ardent researcher, brilliant scholar and generous philanthropist, Carla Montgomery (Sept. 26, 1951 – Feb. 1, 2021) made a profound and lasting impact at Northern Illinois University and beyond. On Tuesday, Nov. 22, her friends, family, colleagues and students will gather to celebrate Dr. Montgomery’s life and the indelible positive difference...
The American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Energy and Fuels has named NIU Chemistry Professor Tao Li as the recipient of its 2022 Emerging Researcher Award. The award, accompanied by a plaque and $1,000 prize, recognizes and encourages scientists who are early or midway into their careers and have made sustained and distinguished contributions to the field of fuel chemistry. It...
Students from San Diego State University recently visited NIU as part of an exchange program that seeks to expose student groups that are underrepresented in the sciences to research projects, paths to graduate school and a network of supportive peers from other universities. The three-day late May visit, which also included a trip to the...
